1. Eric Lindros

Dubbed “The Next One”, Eric Lindros never really lived up to the mammoth expectations heaped upon him. This isn’t to say that Eric Lindros didn’t have a good career, as he most certainly did. He won the prestigious Hart Trophy in 1995 and had 115 points the following year. Lindros did average well over a point a game in his career but the issue was that his career was cut short by concussions. Throw in the constant issues he seemed to have with various managements, Lindros was not always the most beloved man in hockey. With a career riddled with concussions and controversy, a man who had the size, speed and skills to be a legend could very well be a “bubble” pick to enter the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Comments

He was a great talent , but has to big strikes against him. Firstly never won a cup. Secondly broke the first rule of puck handing jeep your head up and on a swivel. Was never the same after Stevens damn never killed him.

Lindros' points-per-game during his Flyers career (1.35) was good for 5th all-time. His NHL career ppg (1.138) is currently ranked 19th at 1.138. The only inactive players ahead of him not in the Hall are Forsberg (another obvious HOFer) and Kent Nilsson, who probably deserves more consideration due to his entire career combined (NHL, international, and various European leagues).

He is an obvious Hall of Famer. His career was relatively short, but it was impactful, more so than fellow short career HOFers Bure and Neely. He will have to wait due to a few ignorant voters (it only takes five to keep someone out) who dislike him personally.

I think the highest compliment you can give a player is that the game changed to stop you. Refusing to play for Quebec caused many hockey people, some with influence, to root for Lindros to fail. It's not a coincidence that the clutch-and-grab era coincided with Lindros' ascent. Then came the intentional shots to the head which the NHL did nothing about even though the "his head was down" justification was always BS. Post-Flyers he had one decent season with New York.

Lindros's numbers (760GP, 372G, 493A, 865Pts) are slightly better than Cam Neely's(726GP, 395G, 299A, 694Pts), but Neely got in quickly because he was beloved. He had character, heart, and a sense of duty to the team and community. Lindros lacks in all of those categories.